District 34 is proud to offer new educators a comprehensive mentor program. This program is designed to support and sustain the growth of new educators as they teach and develop relationships with students.  Moreover, all of our teachers, administrators and staff aspire to be superheroes who are focused on students, supporting each other and the collective efficacy of District 34.

Purpose of the Mentor Program

The purpose of the District’s mentoring program is ultimately to build staff’s autonomy as reflective practitioners. To that end, the Mentor Program seeks to:

• Attract and retain the most knowledgeable and highly qualified professional educators by addressing concerns and overcoming challenges common to new staff.
• Provide new educators with easily accessible instructional and interpersonal support in a professional, collegial, and non-judgmental manner.
• Develop the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values that are vital to one's successful personal and professional development as an educator.
• Offer an opportunity for new and experienced educators to analyze and reflect upon their work together and thus, build a foundation for the continued study of effective teaching and learning strategies.
• Enable individuals to seek out those opportunities for professional collaboration that will result in effective classroom practices and positive interpersonal relations.
• Furnish an opportunity for effective educators to be reenergized through their work as mentors and to increase their capacity as leaders within our district.
• Achieve the highest level of staff trust, cooperation, and empowerment.